President Donald Trump said he was «only kidding» after publicly offering UFC president Dana White the job of White House press secretary, a post that has been vacant since Katie Zacharia departed after being tapped to succeed Karoline Leavitt. The remark came after Trump had floated the idea in a post on Truth Social and was later asked about it on Sunday.
In his Truth Social message, Trump offered White the position and called him capable, saying White had «liked the idea.» To support his claim that the suggestion was not serious, Trump pointed to a lineup of prominent fighters he said would serve as assistants in the role. He named Khabib Nurmagomedov, Islam Makhachev, Justin Gaethje, Daniel Cormier and Amanda Nunes. Trump added that some people had warmed to the idea after it was made public, though he did not say who they were.
White shared the post on his own account with the caption «On to the next chapter,» a response that has left the status of the offer unclear. Reporting has not established whether the job offer was ever a serious proposal, and White's own reaction beyond that Instagram post has not been reported. In November 2024, White said he had no political aspirations, a statement that now sits alongside the public exchange over the post.
Trump said White was expected to visit Washington the day after the post, but he maintained that the visit was for other reasons. The two men have known each other for decades. White introduced Trump at the 2024 Republican National Convention, and in June his UFC organization hosted a fight on the South Lawn of the White House to mark Trump's 80th birthday. That event tied the two men's public relationship to one of the most visible settings in the presidency, which is part of why the press secretary offer drew attention.
The press secretary post has been unfilled for some time. Leavitt left the job in August, and Zacharia departed after being selected to succeed her. When asked about the vacancy on Oct. 23, Trump said «we're in no rush» to fill it. Whether the job will be filled before the next round of White House briefings, and whether White's name will return to the discussion, remain open questions. For now, the public offer and Trump's later description of it as a joke add an unresolved element to the search for the next person to brief reporters from the White House podium.